It isn't that Abby Carson can't do her schoolwork, it's just that she doesn't like doing it. And that means she's pretty much failing sixth grade. When a warning letter is sent home, Abby realizes that all her slacking off could cause her to be held back -- for real! Unless she wants to repeat the sixth grade, she'll have to meet some specific conditions, including taking on an extra-credit project: find a pen pal in a foreign country. Simple enough (even for a girl who hates homework).

Abby's first letter arrives at a small school in Afghanistan, and Sadeed Bayat is chosen to be her pen pal....Well, kind of. He is the best writer, but he is also a boy, and in his village it is not appropriate for a boy to correspond with a girl. So his younger sister dictates and signs the letter. Until Sadeed decides what his sister is telling Abby isn't what he'd like Abby to know.

As letters flow back and forth between Illinois and Afghanistan, Abby and Sadeed discover that their letters are crossing more than an ocean. They are crossing a huge cultural divide and a minefield of different lifestyles and traditions. Their growing friendship is also becoming a growing problem for both communities, and some people are not happy. Suddenly things are not so simple. Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

“This is an important book, especially in the atmosphere of general distrust of foreigners here and throughout the world. Clements is a fine writer and captures teenage angst well...This book is very well done!”

Children’s Literature

“Clements successfully bridges two cultures in this timely and insightful dual-perspective story...Clements effectively broadens his canvas in this worthy addition to his oeuvre of school-themed novels.”

Publishers Weekly

“As she quietly depicts each child’s life, thoughts, and letters, Zackman allows listeners to draw their own insights about culture, gender, and personal values, including the question of what an education is worth.”

AudioFile

“Clements offers readers an engaging and realistic school story and provides an evenhanded comparison between a Midwestern girl’s lifestyle and a culture currently in the news.”

" Very well done, as usual, by Andrew Clements. Acceptable (PC)information about Afghanistan and the way people live in small villages there. The very bright youngsters, Sadeed and Abby manage to outwit their elders and learn quite a bit about each others' feelings even though correspondence between and boy and a girl is forbidden. Those kids who have always thought it great to have a Pen Pal from a foreign country will definitely want to have one after reading this book. "

Kesha | 2/11/2014

" This is an enlightening read about the cultural differences between Americans and Afghanistanis. Young people will learn to value the liberties our country affords us as well as gain an appreciation of the natural beauty and some cultural aspects of the Middle East through correspondences between Abbey and Shaba in Abbey's attempt to graduate sixth grade. As the plot progresses ignorant and narrow minded remarks are made on behalf of opposition to each culture, but readers will hopefully walk away from this read with a viewpoint that their are pros and cons to every society. "

Monika | 2/8/2014

" Andrew Clements always does a great job of creating stories that school-aged children can identify with. I liked how he created this common ground between two students who were from very different places that were at war with one another. This novel of Clements' is great for the classroom because it can be integrated into an intercultural lesson and can bring about some great discussion about people of other cultures. "

Child960801 | 2/7/2014

" Excellent. I love this author. His books are so smart and unexpected. I also love that they are short. His characters are interesting people there aren't just everything is all fixed and happy endings. "

Kristin | 2/3/2014

" I enjoyed this book - a quick read. I'll probably use it as a read aloud next school year. "

Catherine | 1/26/2014

" Good premise but not much substance. Clements brings up the issues of discrimination, violence, tolerance and gender roles but none are well developed in this book about a pen pal correspondence between Abby in Illinois and Amira and her brother Sadeed in Afghanistan. The quick pace and familiar author would make this a popular choice for kids' book reports. "

Karen | 1/25/2014

" Would generate some good classroom discussion on tolerance. "

Christi | 1/23/2014

" good book. have grace read it. deals with her need to do extra credit because she slacked and may not pass 6th grade--and her adventure in meeting someone from another country as a penpal. great. "

Judy | 1/19/2014

" Through a required extra credit penpal assignment, Abby learns of the similarities and differences of life in Afgahnistan. "

Amber | 12/31/2013

" It was OK for a young adult book. I knew how it was going to end on page 20. "

Carrie | 12/27/2013

" Again having to read it for a book discussion, I put it off. But once started it flowed smoothly and I really felt for Abby & Sadeed. I wonder if they ever meet? "

Kandee | 7/26/2013

" Great story of pen pals based on real events and real places. "

Brandy | 7/18/2013

" This book didn't grab my attention fast enough so I put it down for another time. "

Dixie | 5/5/2013

" What can I say? This is another of many GREAT andrew clements book!!! "

Lea | 1/13/2013

" Ally needs extra credit to pass the sixth grade. When she chooses her pen pal project to gain the extra credit she has no idea how it will change her attitude and life. She correspondes with Sadeed from Afghanistan and it affects his life as well. "

Eoin | 11/5/2012

" Not one of the best books ever. But it was pretty good and had a sad ending "

Michelle | 10/26/2012

" Great for 4th graders looking for something different. "

Nicole | 5/23/2012

" I really enjoyed this book! Although it ended quite suddenly. "

Jason | 3/23/2012

" Interesting to consider life in another country contrasted with a more familiar American lifestyle. "

L | 12/2/2011

" Gives reader a view into the life of a boy in Afghanistan-may help students to realize how lucky they are... "

Barbara | 8/15/2011

" As usual, Clements writes a good school story with a bit of a geopolitical twist here. It's a gentle introduction to Afghanistan for children and a morality tale about being a good student and its benefits. "

Emma | 6/28/2011

" Interesting perspectives. Possibly a little too controversial for elementary readers OR could spark meaningful conversations...considering the district/building, conversation and controversy could mean the same thing!
"

Dextersgirl | 6/22/2011

" good book. have grace read it. deals with her need to do extra credit because she slacked and may not pass 6th grade--and her adventure in meeting someone from another country as a penpal. great.
"

Sam | 6/22/2011

" i lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvved the ending but i want a squal what happens to the boy sppal??????
"

Elizabeth | 6/20/2011

" I think this a good book to help kids think about other cultures and how we are all human no matter where we grow up.
"

Jamie | 6/12/2011

" This is a great book for this day and time. Students can learn a little about the Afghan culture through this book. It is a perfect read for a 3rd or 4th grade student.
"

Eiko | 6/9/2011

" Andrew Clements writes a great realistic fiction book for children.
"

Mallory | 6/5/2011

" When I was younger I really liked Andrew Clements, so in my read as many short books that don't challenge me at all week I desided to read this one. It was good, a lot more entertaining than a lot of books written for a younger age group.
"

Kimberly | 5/21/2011

" Quick easy read that was enjoyable. Gave some insight into the Afghan culture and mind set.
"

Tenille | 5/21/2011

" This may be my favorite 4th grade read aloud!
"

Laeroport | 5/18/2011

" Now I understand why my daughter is so ga-ga over Andrew Clements books. I very much enjoyed it. It was a quick read but the characters were well developed and the situations felt real. An excellent William Allen White award choice.
"

Kennedy | 5/17/2011

" I started reading this for a school competition. Then I got addicted and I read it 5 times! It's SO good!
"

About the Author

Andrew Clements is the author of the enormously successful children’s novel Frindle. He has won two Christopher Awards and an Edgar Award, and more than ten million of his books are in print. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, and others. Clements is a graduate of Northwestern and National Louis universities, and he currently lives in central Massachusetts with his wife.

About the Narrator

Gabra Zackman is an actress, author, and narrator who has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She was educated at Northwestern University. A classically trained actress, she has appeared in theaters all over the country as well as on film and television.

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